StarNews to begin digital subscriptions

Enhanced offerings to appear online, in print

Published: Sunday, April 21, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 4:45 p.m.

The StarNews on Monday will join roughly 450 of the country's 1,380 daily papers by moving to a digital subscription plan.

All StarNews print subscribers will have full digital access without additional costs, though they will be asked to register on the site.

"As time has moved forward in society and as the generations continue to shift, how readers consume information is shifting," said StarNews Publisher Bob Gruber. "It simply is no longer feasible to deliver our product, which is quality journalism, in two formats and have one free and one paid.

"It's a business model shift that's happening in many industries – music, magazines and newspapers."

Twenty-two North Carolina papers have gone to paid digital subscriptions, including the state's top dailies.

"We have the largest and, personally I believe, the best newsroom in the region," Gruber said, "and will continue to work extraordinarily hard to deliver the best community news to your doorstep."

Non-subscribers will have access to five articles per month, before being required to subscribe. Full digital access is $9.95 a month, $4.95 for a one-week digital pass, and 95 cents for a daily pass. Print subscriptions, which include full digital access, range from $13 monthly for a Saturday-Sunday subscription to $17.33 for daily delivery.

A recent report from the Newspaper Association of America shows that circulation revenue for daily newspapers grew in 2012 for the first time in a decade. This shift is attributed to the addition of digital subscriptions.

"In virtually every community they serve, newspapers have the biggest newsrooms, the best-known brands and significant audience market share," said NAA CEO Caroline Littlesaid in a news release. "Now they are building on those to find new ways to serve audiences and local businesses." As part of the expanded subscription plan locally, the StarNews is increasing and enhancing its offerings.

Enhancements to StarNewsOnline.com's crime site (improved site is expected to be available Monday) that will include an updated Mugshots presentation as well as a crime map of the area and databases of arrests and prison releases.

An increase in content about local business, military, Pender County government and the U.S. 17 corridor, and Columbus and Onslow counties.

A new Business section on Sundays. Also, daily business reports are moving from the sports section to the local news section.

In addition to its daily news email newsletter that goes out to thousands of readers each morning, the StarNews is beginning an Afternoon Update newsletter, a twice-weekly sports newsletter and weekly newsletters focusing on business, entertainment and food. To sign up for newsletters, go to StarNewsOnline.com/subscribe.

Beginning today, readers also will find a redesigned 1A and other key pages throughout the newspaper. And more space will be allocated to Travel and Pop Culture in the Sunday features section.

<p>The StarNews on Monday will join roughly 450 of the country's 1,380 daily papers by moving to a digital subscription plan.</p><p>All StarNews print subscribers will have full digital access without additional costs, though they will be asked to register on the site.</p><p>"As time has moved forward in society and as the generations continue to shift, how readers consume information is shifting," said StarNews Publisher Bob Gruber. "It simply is no longer feasible to deliver our product, which is quality journalism, in two formats and have one free and one paid.</p><p>"It's a business model shift that's happening in many industries – music, magazines and newspapers." </p><p>Twenty-two North Carolina papers have gone to paid digital subscriptions, including the state's top dailies.</p><p>"We have the largest and, personally I believe, the best newsroom in the region," Gruber said, "and will continue to work extraordinarily hard to deliver the best community news to your doorstep."</p><p>Non-subscribers will have access to five articles per month, before being required to subscribe. Full digital access is $9.95 a month, $4.95 for a one-week digital pass, and 95 cents for a daily pass. Print subscriptions, which include full digital access, range from $13 monthly for a Saturday-Sunday subscription to $17.33 for daily delivery.</p><p>A recent report from the Newspaper Association of America shows that circulation revenue for daily newspapers grew in 2012 for the first time in a decade. This shift is attributed to the addition of digital subscriptions.</p><p>"In virtually every community they serve, newspapers have the biggest newsrooms, the best-known brands and significant audience market share," said NAA CEO Caroline Littlesaid in a news release. "Now they are building on those to find new ways to serve audiences and local businesses." As part of the expanded subscription plan locally, the StarNews is increasing and enhancing its offerings.</p><h3>Among the changes:</h3>
<p>New websites for <A HREF="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/betterliving">Better Living magazine</A>, geared toward audiences age 50-plus, and <A HREF="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/beach">Beach Scene vacationer's guide</A>.</p><p>A new <A HREF="http://www.starnewsonline.com/puzzles">games and puzzles page</A> on the website, and an additional page of puzzles daily in print.</p><p>A new, interactive <A HREF="http://www.starnewsonline.com/weather">Weather site</A>.</p><p>Enhancements to StarNewsOnline.com's crime site (improved site is expected to be available Monday) that will include an updated Mugshots presentation as well as a crime map of the area and databases of arrests and prison releases.</p><p>Navigational improvements to the <A HREF="http://www.starnewsonline.com/">StarNewsOnline.com homepage</A>.</p><p>An increase in content about local business, military, Pender County government and the U.S. 17 corridor, and Columbus and Onslow counties.</p><p>A new Business section on Sundays. Also, daily business reports are moving from the sports section to the local news section.</p><p>In addition to its daily news email newsletter that goes out to thousands of readers each morning, the StarNews is beginning an Afternoon Update newsletter, a twice-weekly sports newsletter and weekly newsletters focusing on business, entertainment and food. To sign up for newsletters, go to StarNewsOnline.com/subscribe. </p><p>Beginning today, readers also will find a redesigned 1A and other key pages throughout the newspaper. And more space will be allocated to Travel and Pop Culture in the Sunday features section.</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic99"><b>Wayne Faulkner</b></a>: 343-2329</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @bizniznews</i></p>